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Leonardtown Man Sentenced to 65-Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Child

Leonardtown Man Sentenced to 65-Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Child

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Crosby Dawson, 42, of Leonardtown, Maryland, was sentenced to 65 years in prison with 35 years of active incarceration, ordered to lifetime sexual offender supervision, and required to register as a sex offender for life, for the sexual abuse and rape of a child. Following a multi-day jury...
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No Injuries Reported, Building Inspector Requested After Vehicle Strikes Nick’s of Clinton in Waldorf

No Injuries Reported, Building Inspector Requested After Vehicle Strikes Nick’s of Clinton in Waldorf

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 1:25 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Nick’s of Clinton located at 3953 St Charles Parkway in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving the structure. 911 callers reported a vehicle struck the side of the building resulting in damage inside, with...
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Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Thomas Emanuel Gross, 39, of Lexington Park, was ordered held without bond following his arrest on felony and misdemeanor drug charges stemming from a search warrant executed earlier this year, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Gross faces four charges: one felony count of possession with intent...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

UPDATE: Prior to publishing our recent article on transparency, SMNEWSNET.COM filed two formal complaints with the Maryland Office of the Public Access Ombudsman against the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for withholding public information. The Ombudsman reviewed our complaints and found them valid for mediation — a process designed to resolve disputes through open...
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61-Year-Old Male Run Over by Wife After Domestic Incident in Indian Head, Police Investigating

61-Year-Old Male Run Over by Wife After Domestic Incident in Indian Head, Police Investigating

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 4000 block of Doncaster Drive in Indian Head, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The 911 caller — identified as an adult female — told dispatchers that she and her husband had been involved...
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5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 6:25 p.m., firefighters from Bryans Road and surrounding fire departments responded to the 2600 block of Cannon Court in Bryans Road, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported a fire started in the garage with the house being evacuated. Crews arrived on the scene to...
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UPDATE: Callaway Man Held on No Bond After Assaulting 68-Year-Old Victim, Sending Him to Trauma Center

UPDATE: Callaway Man Held on No Bond After Assaulting 68-Year-Old Victim, Sending Him to Trauma Center

UPDATE 10/10/2025: Maryland State Trooper Kelsey was driving in the area of the Elmer Brown Freedom Park, located at 21725 Tulagi Place, Lexington Park, MD when he observed an unconscious male laying in the street. The victim was found to have sustained an injury to the back of the head. Investigation revealed that De’aune...
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UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 10/11/2025: Nearly a year after a young man was shot during a gathering in Hollywood, no one has been charged with firing the weapon. The case remains unresolved, and law enforcement has released no recent updates, even as gun violence continues to impact communities across St. Mary’s County. The shooting occurred on November...
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Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash is thrilled to announce the opening of its second location, bringing fast, reliable, and top-quality car washes to drivers throughout St. Mary’s County. Conveniently located along Three Notch Road, near popular shopping centers and restaurants, the new Magic Tunnel Car Wash is perfectly placed for locals and visitors looking for...
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58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

10/9/2025: On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, patrol units from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision with entrapment in the area of Sugar Hole Road and Old Trappe Lane in Bushwood. Due to the seriousness of the crash, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Highlights Progress in FY2025 Annual Report

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Highlights Progress in FY2025 Annual Report

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report, outlining achievements in public safety, enforcement, and community outreach over the past year. Sheriff Steve Hall said the report reflects “a year of real progress toward our mission of keeping St. Mary’s County safe and connected.” Public Safety and Enforcement...
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Secretary’s Message: Maryland Fights for Stronger Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

Secretary’s Message: Maryland Fights for Stronger Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

Last week, Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff joined representatives from other jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to recommend proposed changes to the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement based on the public feedback we received this year. The updates to this important agreement took place at the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Management Board retreat in Harrisburg,...
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UPDATE: 17-Year-Old Indicted, To Be Tried As Adult After Crashing Stolen Vehicle Into Innocent Mother, Killing Her and Injuring Her Young Child

UPDATE: 17-Year-Old Indicted, To Be Tried As Adult After Crashing Stolen Vehicle Into Innocent Mother, Killing Her and Injuring Her Young Child

UPDATE 10/8/2025: Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced that Michael Collins age 17, has been indicted on charges including theft, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, rogue and vagabond, and conspiracy to commit unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, in connection to the fatal accident that...
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UPDATE: Guatemala Man Illegally in United States Indicted for Gruesome Murder of Missing 19-Year-Old Dacara Thompson

UPDATE: Guatemala Man Illegally in United States Indicted for Gruesome Murder of Missing 19-Year-Old Dacara Thompson

UPDATE 10/7/2025: Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced today that Hugo Hernandez-Mendez has been indicted on charges, including common law murder, tampering with physical evidence, and burying/disposing of a body in an unauthorized place, in the death of 19-year-old DaCara Thompson. “Today’s indictment marks a critical step in the criminal justice process,”...
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Two Men Flown to Trauma Center’s With Serious Injuries After Stabbing Each Other in Face

Two Men Flown to Trauma Center’s With Serious Injuries After Stabbing Each Other in Face

On Monday, September 15, 2025, at approximately 7:33 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 3300 block of Jonathan Court in Waldorf, for the reported stabbing. 911 callers reported a 41-year-old male was conscious and alert with a deep stab wound to the chest and face, with the caller then reported...
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Waldorf Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Commercial Armed Robbery Spree

Waldorf Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Commercial Armed Robbery Spree

U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Daniel Michael Harris, Sr., 44, of Waldorf, Maryland, to 14 years in federal prison for committing four armed robberies while using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the...
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Former PG County Officer Awarded $2.35 Million After Jury Finds His Termination Violated His Civil Rights and Was Retaliatory

Former PG County Officer Awarded $2.35 Million After Jury Finds His Termination Violated His Civil Rights and Was Retaliatory

On October 3rd, 2025, a Federal Jury awarded $2.35 million to former Prince George’s County Police Officer Mohamed Magassouba after the verdict found Magassouba’s 2021 termination was “retaliatory” and had “violated his civil rights.” “After an eight-day federal civil rights trial, the jury returned a $2.35 million verdict in favor of our client, Chief...
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October 2025 Halloween Events in Southern Maryland!

October 2025 Halloween Events in Southern Maryland!

We will be updating this list daily to provide as many possible opportunities for family fun throughout Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. We look forward to seeing our communities have a safe and fun filled holiday! If you have an event you want added to this, please send us any information to [email protected]...
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UPDATE: Accokeek Man Sentenced to Life for Fatally Shooting 25-Year-Old Man in Waldorf

UPDATE: Accokeek Man Sentenced to Life for Fatally Shooting 25-Year-Old Man in Waldorf

9/28/2025: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, September 26, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Jermaine Christopher Stringer, 39, to Life plus 20 years in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Arick Jordan Jackson, Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime...
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La Plata Police Seeking Assistance Locating Critical Missing 16-Year-Old

La Plata Police Seeking Assistance Locating Critical Missing 16-Year-Old

CRITICAL MISSING PERSON: The La Plata Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Cheyanne Autumn Curry DOB 12/01/2008 Age 16. She is described as 5’ 4”, 200 pounds, light skin complexion. Black/ blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing an allblack sweatshirt and sweatpants, black and white Nike Dunks...
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UPDATE: Waldorf Teen Charged with First-Degree Murder After Admitting to Fatally Stabbing Stepfather

UPDATE: Waldorf Teen Charged with First-Degree Murder After Admitting to Fatally Stabbing Stepfather

UPDATE 10/6/2025: Sean Michael Smith, 18, of Waldorf, has been charged with first-degree murder and multiple related offenses following the fatal stabbing of his stepfather during a domestic dispute at their home on October 3, 2025. According to court documents filed in Charles County District Court, deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded...
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Early Morning Garage Fire in Solomons Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

Early Morning Garage Fire in Solomons Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Monday, October 6, 2025, at approximately 5:23 a.m., firefighters from Solomons, Prince Frederick, St. Leonard, Bay District, and Hollywood responded to the Spring Cove Marina located at 455 Lore Road in Solomons, for the reported structure on fire. Firefighters from Bay District VFD arrived on the scene to find a 1-story garage fully...
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Child and Adult Transported to Trauma Centers After Being Run Over at Bensville Park in Charles County

Child and Adult Transported to Trauma Centers After Being Run Over at Bensville Park in Charles County

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at approximately 4:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Bensville Park located at 6980 Bensville Road in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving multiple pedestrians. 911 callers reported a vehicle had run over at least two pedestrians by the turf field. One...
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Serious Crash in La Plata Sends Two to Trauma Center, Police Investigating

Serious Crash in La Plata Sends Two to Trauma Center, Police Investigating

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, at approximately 4:16 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 6985 Mason Springs Road in La Plata, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and a vehicle overturned. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway, into a...
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Police Investigating Body Located Near North Beach Boardwalk in Chesapeake Bay

Police Investigating Body Located Near North Beach Boardwalk in Chesapeake Bay

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, around 8:17 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 9100 block of Atlantic Avenue in North Beach, for the reported possible person in the water. The 911 caller, a resident on Atlantic Avenue, reported they could see a possibly body in the water and would guide...
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